Whether you are a buyer, a seller, or looking to rent—your business has a value to real estate professionals. Direct and indirect referrals are the basis of our business. They happen every day.

Real estate referral fees are a common and long established practice within the existing industry. These fees are paid when one agent or broker refers a client to another agent or broker based on the eventual commission when the sale closes. Industry-wide referral fees range from 20% to 40%, but the standard fee is about 25% of the earned commission.  

What an agent stands to gain from the referral (a substantial commission) often outweighs the cost of the referral itself, so few agents refuse them. They want the business, and this is an accepted cost of doing business.

However, despite these referral fees being as commonplace as they are, buyers, sellers and renters often don't realize they are using a referral-based network due to a lack of transparency.  For example, "for profit" referral companies like HomeLight, UpNest, City Realty and other key players within the referral industry don't disclose to the users of their platforms that they are benefiting financially when they refer them to affiliated agents.

Even companies like Zillow, Trulia and Streeteasy have "pay to play" programs for agents, where buyers, sellers and renters are directed to agents because agents are paying for the "leads" – not necessarily because the agent is the best or most qualified fit for the specific needs or actual interests of the individual.

Creative Realty aims to create change within our industry as well as our community, while providing exceptional client service. We are completely transparent with those who elect to use our referral network and, moreover, you can rest assured that all the agents we work with are vetted and qualified experts within their field – dedicated, knowledgeable and experienced professionals.

The agents we work with, like all real estate professionals, are accustomed to paying referral fees, as it's an established industry practice.  However, when they work with Creative Realty, they also make a direct and positive impact in the communities in which they work.